Simple Signposting to Better Health and Wellbeing
West Northamptonshire
Self-care and National Support Services
If you think the person you are concerned about is in immediate danger or needs urgent care, please call 999.
Whilst there are some amazing national services available, we recommend a local first approach. A list of local services can be found at the foot of this text
Street Link is a national service which can be used by members of the public if they see people sleeping rough. Referrals can be made using the hotline (0300 500 0914) or online at Street Link.
This service aims to connect rough sleepers with appropriate services, both statutory and voluntary. Local resources for rough sleepers vary greatly across the country. They can include day centres, contact and assessment teams, soup kitchens and soup runs. Details of such resources can often be obtained by contacting local authorities.
Street assessment teams give rough sleepers information about available health care, night shelters and hostels, and other resources for homeless people. Some hostels and night shelters will only take referrals from a contact and assessment team worker. Some outreach teams will work with people on a long-term basis.
Information on over 9,000 services - hostels, day centres and other advice and support services for homeless people and those at risk of homelessness can be found at: www.homelessuk.org/
Not sure which local authority area to choose? If you know a postcode you can check which local authority area here.
Local Support Services
West Northamptonshire
- Having a safe and warm home is important for your health & wellbeing - look after it and it'll look after you
- Make sure you look into all your options to find suitable housing.
- You can get Housing advise and support from West Northamptonshire Council
- DON'T let issues build up, delay seeking advice, or think that you have no control over the situation
- The Northants Warm Homes Partnership provides help and advice to all residents who want to lower their fuel bills through insulation and other home emergency improvements.
- Assessment of entitlement to housing for people who are homeless or threatened with homelessness
- Armed forces can access support here: https://www.afcnorthamptonshire.co.uk/housing-advice/Pages/housing.aspx
- https://www.northampton.gov.uk/directory/28/housing-information-and-advice
- https://www.bhbh.org.uk/make-a-referral/
Self-care and National Support Services
National Support
Do you think you would benefit from some further support to spend more time in Nature and Greenspaces?
Nature and Mental Health
- Thriving With Nature | Mental Health Foundation Guide containing suggestions for seasonal activities to help people engage with nature, and personal stories.
- Walking with Nature: Notice three good things - Paths for All | Paths for All Connect with nature on your walks by noticing three good things in nature. Free Guide.
- Natural Environment- National Academy for Social Prescribing | NASP Helping People Connect with Nature for Better Health and Wellbeing
- Bring people closer to nature | The Wildlife Trusts Materials and resources available and offer a Wellbeing Through Nature course
Nature and Physical Activity
- Parkrun UK Free, weekly events around the country. Events are in parks and open spaces. Walk, run, jog, volunteer or spectate.
- Places to visit | Yorkshire Wildlife Trust (ywt.org.uk) Discover Nature reserves near you. Includes address/map, accessibility and difficulty levels.
- Home | National Trust Ideas for days out, parks, discover and learn about nature
Nature and Community
- Social Farms & Gardens | (farmgarden.org.uk) UK wide charity supporting communities to farm and garden.
- Ramblers Bringing people together to enjoy walking and outdoor pursuits. Includes Walking for Health and Wellbeing walks.
- Wildlife Actions - Quick Wins for Wildlife.pdf (ywt.org.uk) Things you can do at home/in your community to connect with nature.
Nature and Conservation
- The RSPB Wildlife Charity: Nature Reserves & Wildlife Conservation Find a place to visit with birds and wildlife.
- TCV | The Conservation Volunteers Connecting people and greenspaces on their doorsteps
Can you think of opportunities that you may have to connect with and spend time in nature? Suggestions include:
Outdoor:
- Walks in nature
- Bird watching
- Conservation volunteering
- Green gym
- Volunteering for local charities – nature based, animal-based
- Gardening, growing and horticulture activities
- Art and nature – creative activities
- Watching nature
- Visiting nature and local greenspaces
- Open water swimming
- Horse riding
- Cycling
Indoor:
- Decorate with plants and flowers. Use of window-sills, side-boards, and hanging plants from above can bring a welcome burst of green and colour indoors.
- Use natural textiles around the home to create a more natural feel.
- Grow herbs on window-sills. Most supermarkets sell a range of herbs or try growing from seed. Most herbs just need sunlight and moisture.
- Do a nature table. Decorate a focal point e.g. a crate or box with natural objects.
- Listen to nature sounds such as birdsong and sea waves. Use apps like Spotify or Alexa to listen to a mixture of sounds. RSPB have a ‘Birdsong’ radio app.
- Let natural light in and open windows.
- Watch nature documentaries and films.
- Use the colour green as much as you can. It is calming and soothing.
- Do seasonal displays e.g. leaves and conkers in the autumn and consider doing artwork with a nature theme.
Local Support Services
Northamptonshire (West)
Self-care and National Support Services
Self-Care - Adults
Healthy brushing advice: (Click here for further information)
- brush at least twice daily, last thing at night and at least on one other occasion with a fluoridated toothpaste
- spit out after brushing and do not rinse (Spit, Don’t Rinse!), to maintain fluoride concentration levels
- use fluoridated toothpaste (1,350-1,500ppm fluoride)
Eat Well (See Act section of MECC Link – Healthy Eating)
Quit Smoking (See Act section of MECC Link - Smoking)
Reduce your Alcohol intake (See Act section of MECC Link - Alcohol)
Finding a dentist
Routine dental care:
- The NHS website enables you to find local NHS services, including dentists. You will need to contact the dental practice directly and check whether they are currently accepting NHS patients
Urgent dental care:
- call your dentist: some practices offer appointments at short notice
- if you don't have a dentist, find one using NHS 111
Self-Care Children
Healthy brushing advice: (Click here for further information)
- brush at least twice daily, last thing at night and at least on one other occasion with a fluoridated toothpaste
- spit out after brushing and do not rinse (Spit, Don’t Rinse!), to maintain fluoride concentration levels
- use fluoridated toothpaste:
- Children aged up to 3 years: use a smear of toothpaste containing no less than 1000 parts per million fluoride
- Children aged over 3 years use a pea size amount of fluoride toothpaste containing 1350 -1500 parts per million fluoride
Try and keep within the recommended intake of free sugars which is no more than:
- 19g (5 sugar cubes) per day for 4 to 6 year olds
- 24g (6 sugar cubes) per day for 6 to 10 year olds
- 30g (7 sugar cubes) per day for 11 years and older
Finding a dentist
Routine dental care:
- The NHS website enables you to find local NHS services, including dentists. You will need to contact the dental practice directly and check whether they are currently accepting NHS patients
- Take your child to the dentist when their first teeth come through
- Take your child with you when you visit the dentist, so they may receive preventive dental care
Urgent dental care:
- call your dentist: some practices offer appointments at short notice
- if you don't have a dentist, find one using NHS 111
